MAKER FAIRE: A Celebration of D.I.Y (Do-It-Yourself) Ingenuity and Innovation

Calling all parents and kids! Maker Faire Rhode Island is here. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or just like to see what cool things other people can create there is plenty to see and do this week at Rhode Island’s first ever Maker Faire taking place now in Providence and Pawtucket.

Beginning at the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and culminating in the Creative Capital, Providence, Maker Faire Rhode Island is a celebration of everyday people’s inventive and creative abilities. Maker Faire, already underway is a mass mash-up of technological-scientific-artistic-gadgetry-crafting features hands-on workshops, building and hacking competitions, culinary crafting, garage technology, arts and creativity for sale, robot gymnastic demonstrations, and more.

Maker Faire is a festival celebrating the spirit of personal ingenuity and innovation that thrives here in Providence and Rhode Island, and highlighting the impact it makes in our daily lives. It is also a spectacular showcase for the cool projects local people are working on in their garages and gardens, kitchens and basements, work rooms and community centers.

Maker Faire Rhode Island consists of a series of events held over three weeks in September coordinated with other partner organizations. It began with a kickoff party on September 6th, during theÂ Rocktucket Block Party, part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival. From September 14th through the 17th, there is a hands-on D.I.Y. Workshops in Pawtucket at the Slater Mill, a building and museum steeped in the history of American industry and innovation. The workshops will wrap up with a celebration atÂ Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket. Moving back to Providence, there will be Meet the Makers at JTJ Investment’sÂ Eco Office, at 27 Walcott St on September 18. Finally, Makers will showcase their projects, gadgets, inventions, products, designs, technologies, fancy foods, and much more at the Maker Faire atÂ Waterfire on September 19 starting at 2pm.

The festival is free (with the exception of the Iron Chef fundraiser party at the Steel Yard) and is open to all, participants and spectators alike, including families and children of all ages.

Here’s a highlight of things that are family friendly:

Details:

AS220 Labs’ Nomadic Fab Lab (Shawn Wallace had a lot of kids at Foo Fest playing with this game)
Tuesday, September 15Â in Room A (Slater Mill Main Hall)
5:30 – 9:15PM
There is no fee to attend or to make something.

Circuit Bending (make noisy toys)
Thursday, September 17Â in Room A (Slater Mill Main Hall)
5:30 – 7:15PM
There is no fee to attend.
There is a $20 materials fee if you wish to build something and take it home.

Microcontrollers (learn to make cool things with electronics)
Thursday, September 17Â in Room A (Slater Mill Main Hall)
5:30 – 9:15PM
There is no fee to attend.
There is a materials fee (around $10-$30, depending on which kit you choose) if you wish to build something and take it home.

Join us every Friday at 10:30am for Storytime and activity. Our children’s story hour is for children 2-5 years of age (all ages are welcome) and is hosted by one of our storytellers extraordinaire- Miss[...]

Join us every Friday at 10:30am for Storytime and activity. Our children’s story hour is for children 2-5 years of age (all ages are welcome) and is hosted by one of our storytellers extraordinaire- Miss[...]

Storytime will include a story and activity/craft. Ages 2-5 (all ages are welcome) No need to register. Just stop in. Never a charge! Please contact kiddos401@gmail.com or (508) 405-0116 for cancelations. image: courtesy of Kiddos